[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

1 hour ago, deutsch1997bw said:

To those who received rejection emails from NW to check website, did you receive a generic email? Or, was it sent to you by a POI?

I received a generic email telling me to check decision on the website from the Graduate School. Decision letter itself was generic and from DGS

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

16 minutes ago, ArtVandalay said:

I would take your materials, go to a trusted advisor, and try to get the cold hard truth from them. And do a lot of thinking. Do you really want to be a political scientist? Why? Are you really suited to doing that as opposed to the plethora of other options? I know reinventing yourself seems difficult, but it's definitely doable. Your world is not going to crumble just because one of your short-intermediate term goals didn't pan out. There's always a way forward.

I completely agree. I see a few people losing hope and frankly, I completely understand. I have applied to 9 schools this year but with the rejections I've already received, I'm expecting to get rejected from the rest.

I know it feels hopeless and the whole admissions process is extremely draining and kind of makes you want to give up, but honestly if political science is your dream, then a few rejections during a cycle (or even two!) shouldn't hold you back. I already know where I need to improve and I'm already preparing to beef up my application for the upcoming cycle next year. If you don't know your weaknesses, I agree with ArtVandalay, go see a trusted advisor and figure out where the flaw is.

If this is your dream, don't give up. Don't let the randomness and specificity of grad admissions get you to give up. But also, life isn't all about a PhD, there are definitely other options and your career is not worth depression and suicidal thoughts. If this is really too overwhelming, take a break for a year. Go work, gain research experience, hell, go traveling and explore the world even. Life's too short to let a stupid generic rejection letter from however-many universities get to you.

And honestly, just try again. I know that's what I'll be doing and if anything, this terrible cycle has proved to me how badly I want this and how much I'm willing to try. I've already applied to 3+ conferences, attempting to get my MSc thesis published somewhere, and signed up to online courses to improve my GRE score. 

Good luck to all, and congratulations to all who've been accepted! 

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

This whole Duke thing has me in shambles. Think it's appropriate if I call and ask if perhaps they've sent out all their acceptances? Or should I just lost out on all hope and assume rejection?

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

1 hour ago, skhann said:

A couple of people here (though not myself, I've not reached the interview stage) have been rejected after interviews at US universities. So it's kind of not right to assume interviews are just an informal chat before sending formal acceptance letters. It does indicate one is shortlisted and all but doesn't guarantee a place.

My bad, like I said, I haven't reached interview stage and not extremely sure how they work, just went by the assumption of many people who posted about getting accepted after interviews.

Thanks for the clarification though, helps in the future if I somehow do get some kind of interview.

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

14 minutes ago, PoliSci-freak said:

Does anybody have any experience with the admissions process for the MRes/Phd program at the LSE? I have an interview this week, is this part of the process for everybody applying to their program or just some applicants?

Not a PhD student at LSE, but did my Masters there and very familiar with the process as I was going to apply and gained lots of advice from my advisors there (unfortunately my research was not a suitable fit so decided not to apply there)

The interview is a good sign, it means you've been shortlisted BUT it does not mean you're going to get admitted, it's just the next step of the process. It's pretty much very similar to a job interview in terms of the process itself (they like you but doesn't mean they're hiring you at all). They'll be asking questions about your proposal and research mostly and why you've chosen the specific department and LSE. You'll most probably have POIs in the interview so make sure you do really good research on the department and your POI's areas of research too.

I haven't had a US interview so I'm not sure how similar LSE's interview is to it, but from what I've seen on US interviews they seem to be quite informal and for many, just an informal way of accepting someone. You can very much get rejected from LSE after the interview, it is 100% not a sure sign, but it is a step in the right direction for sure. Just make sure you're prepared to discuss your topic thoroughly and know the university and academics well. As for formality of the interview, from what I've heard it really depends on who's interviewing you. Some faculty like to make it super formal, while others just like to have a chat basically, so there's no certainty with that.

Best of luck though! I hope you nail the interview and LSE is a great school for sure! If it wasn't for lack of POIs in my field, I would've definitely applied

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

Just got a rejection from Princeton :\

[2017-2018 Application Cycle]

Decided to leave Lurkerville and create an account, considering that due to low scores I'm already envisioning a second application round next year Good luck to you all though!

 

Just a question on interviews, if we haven't received them, should I assume news won't be good? I'm not sure what UWashington (Seattle)'s policy is with interviews but I see a few people have received them and that's really upped my anxiety.